In the debate over health care, the bishops will discuss a proposed resolution that favors sweeping changes in the present system.

The bishops did not discuss their new abuse policy that was revised in a meeting at the Vatican.

German bishops discussed possible responses against these measures but Faulhaber was of the opinion it would only make matters worse.

In the only sessions open to reporters, the bishops never discussed the abuse scandal.

At their meeting, he said, the bishops may discuss how to define an act of sexual abuse.

He said the bishops were discussing a systematic way of dealing with the files.

The bishops also discuss the need to protect the environment as a means of exercising stewardship of God's creation.

At a final news conference on Thursday, other bishops discussed the novelty of addressing problems together.

The bishops discussed some of the implications of the change and issued a number of proposals for further discussion at local level around the country.

The bishops had in fact been quietly discussing the issue of child sexual abuse since 1985.